A similar thing happened in the spring of 2017. I took a trip to New York City, and I found out my favorite comedian, Jim Norton, was going to be trying out new material at the Fat Black Pussycat in Greenwich Village. The cost was only five dollars with a two-drink minimum (which was not a problem). I had first become aware of Jim Norton when a caller had called in to The Opie and Anthony Show and mentioned the shooting while discussing the Jerry Sandusky case. Although Opie and Anthony were very popular in Philly when I lived there, I never listened to them.

Over the years, starting in 2012, I have seen Jim perform in Addison, Texas; Dallas, Texas; and New Orleans. After his Dallas show, I introduced myself and let him know my dad was the guy who had shot my kidnapper.

Every now and then, I would send him an email, and on this trip in 2017, I let him know I would be in New York City and suggested that if he had a chance, maybe we could grab a bite to eat. So when I got to the Fat Black Pussycat, it was not a surprise when I said hey to Jim before the show. He asked me if I had lost some weight . . . which I had.

I attended the show located in a small room inside the bar. My friend Tifany joined me as we sat second row, right in front of the stage. Tifany and I had enjoyed a few cocktails at a bar next door called Of the Wagon before the show and continued sipping libations as Jim tried out his new material.

Near the end of the show, Jim looked at this couple and asked the guy what his favorite genre of porn was. The guy sat quietly because he appeared to be sitting next to his wife or significant other. So Jim looked at the crowd and said, “What’s your favorite genre of porn?” Immediately, Tifany yelled out, “Anal!” Jim stopped, looked at her, and asked, “Ma’am, do you know who you are sitting next to? That’s my friend Jody, and when Jody was younger . . .” He stopped and asked me if it was okay if he shared my story with the audience. I was fine. He proceeded to tell the crowd about the sexual abuse, the shooting, and Daddy not getting any jail time. The crowd applauded. Tifany immediately started to apologize. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. I forgot.” I told her, “Don’t worry about it. My favorite comedian just introduced me to a crowd in New York City.”

Moments like that make me appreciate my life and my experiences. And if you are unfamiliar with Jim Norton, go check out his specials on YouTube and Netflix, or if he comes to your town, go see him live. To me he is up there with Richard Pryor and George Carlin because like those two greats, his comedy is based on his truth and his realities. I look forward to seeing him again, hopefully on the Jim Norton & Sam Roberts show on SiriusXM Radio Faction Talk to promote this book.